Rich Archbold: Pair play cards they are dealt to find love, success

Jay Cramer, 37, was a talented actor when he fell while rock climbing in Malibu, broke his neck and lost the use of his legs six years ago.

Katy Sullivan, 32, was born without legs.

As chance, or fate, would have it, Jay and Katy crossed paths in 2006 at Downey's Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, which is recognized as California's top rehabilitation hospital. | PHOTOS

"It was love at first sight," Jay recalled. "She had the sexiest titanium legs I had ever seen."

However, it wasn't love at first sight for Katy, who walked on by without noticing Jay in his wheelchair.

But a short while later Katy did notice Jay, and stopped to talk to him.

In a remarkable coincidence, it turned out Katy's roommate, who worked with Jay, had been trying to arrange a blind date for Katy with Jay - before he had the rock-climbing accident.

"When I heard his name on my next visit to Rancho, it hit me like a ton of bricks that he was the guy my roommate was trying to fix me up with," Katy said.

"He had to break his neck to notice me," she added with a laugh.

Jay and Katy were married Sept. 26, 2009, after a most unusual proposal.

Jay wanted to get on his knees to propose, but he couldn't do that because of his injury. Someone said he could do it in a swimming pool.

"So I got into the water with a physical therapist holding me on each arm, got on my knees and told Katy I had something to ask her," he said. "She was sitting on the side of the pool. I proposed and she said `yes,' making me the happiest man in the world."

After his accident, Jay took his acting career in a different direction and became a stand-up comedian. In 2007 he was named "Best New Comedian" in Los Angeles, and two years later, he was named "L.A.'s Funniest Comedian." He has opened for Adam Sandler, Martin Lawrence, Drew Carey and Fred Willard.

Katy also has an acting career, and has added another passion as a track-and-field sprinter. She will represent the United States in the 100-meter dash in the Paralympic Games in London in September, two weeks after the Olympics.

They want to have a family someday, and they are working on many projects, including motivational presentations they have shown to Rancho patients and employees and hope to show elsewhere.

During my interview, Jay and Katy lovingly told inspirational stories and swapped jokes about their life together and how they overcame obstacles. Taking it all in was Goliath, Jay's Labrador retriever service dog.

Jay said he had always wanted to do stand-up comedy, "but never had the guts to do it until after the accident. I figured how bad could it be after what I had been through?"

Does he ever joke that he's a stand-up comic who can't stand up?

"I'll start a show and say I'm a stand-up comic," he said. "There's a joke in there somewhere."

He credits his friends and his Rancho team, led by occupational therapist Michal Atkins, with helping him remain positive. Katy also has been a huge inspiration to him.

"I have no fear on stage knowing she is with me," he said.

Katy said she decided to become an actress after seeing "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" as a young girl in Alabama. She graduated from Western University in St. Louis with a degree in fine arts and won a role in a play directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman at Chicago's Goodman Theatre.

A native of Texas, Katy came to Southern California in 2004 to continue her acting career. It was then that she became interested in running. Will Yule, her prosthetist from Hangar Prosthetics and Orthotics, recommended she go to Rancho Los Amigos for help in the mechanics of running.

Working with physical therapist Julie Kasayama, she not only learned the mechanics of running on titanium legs, but excelled and started winning races. With a time of 17.68 seconds, she won the U.S. Paralympic Championship in the 100-meter dash and earned a berth in this year's Paralympics.

Running has opened up a whole new world for Katy.

"For example, I met a young woman named Vanessa in Germany," Katy said. "She was a double above-the-knee amputee from a car accident. She was shown a video of my running and she said it changed her life. It's very humbling to have this kind of effect on someone."

In another interesting twist, Katy will be competing against Vanessa in this year's Paralympic Games.

Rancho Los Amigos continues to play an important role in the lives of Jay and Kay. In 2009 Jay took over as director of the Rancho's Performing Arts program.

Due to Jay's leadership, the program has been enhanced to year-round status and expanded to local schools and elderly care facilities, said Greg Waskul, executive director of the Rancho Los Amigos Foundation. Jay also is a patient advocate and a peer mentor.

For his years of service, Jay will be receiving the Rancho's Amistad Award for Individual Achievement - the hospital's most prestigious award - at the 26th annual Amistad Gala, "A Mardi Gras for Miracles," at the Westin Long Beach Hotel on Saturday. For further information, call 562-401-7053.

"Jay is just an amazing and inspiring person," said Jorge Orozco, Rancho's CEO. "He and Katy do so much for the hospital. Their spirit and energy is priceless."

Jay and Katy, who live in Burbank, are two of the most enthusiastic and optimistic people I know. Their smiles and positive attitudes are infectious.

They don't consider themselves victims.

Katy said obstacles are placed in your path to demonstrate how badly you want something.

"You will find that opportunity sometimes comes in the most unlikely of packages," she said.

Jay added: "It doesn't matter if it's a prosthetic leg, a wheelchair or something else. Take the hand you have been dealt and be grateful for the lessons you have learned."